Orange in the NFL: Week 1 of the 2018 Preseason

Defensive and Special Teams Players – Preseason, Week 1

Jay Bromley – DT (New Orleans Saints)

A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2014, Bromley was signed by the Saints last May. During New Orleans’ preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday, the defensive tackle was on the field for 21 of the Saints’ total defensive snaps.

A reserve for most of his NFL career, Bromley is trying to make New Orleans’ 2018 roster as one of their backup defensive tackles.

Riley Dixon – P (New York Giants)

After spending his last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Dixon is now in New York as the punter for the Giants. During New York’s preseason matchup against the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, the former Syracuse punter certainly got a ton of work.

Dixon finished with 10 punts against the Browns, averaging 44.2 yards per punt. His longest of the night went for 62 yards and he had three punts land inside Cleveland’s 20-yard line.

Zaire Franklin – LB (Indianapolis Colts)

The former Syracuse linebacker spent a good amount of time on the field for the Colts in the team’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday. Franklin was on the field for 17 of Indianapolis’ defensive snaps and 11 of their special teams snaps.

He finished with a total of three tackles against the Seahawks, including one for a loss.

Chandler Jones – DE (Arizona Cardinals)

Jones appeared in two series for the Cardinals’ defense during the team’s preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. The defensive end looked like his normal, pass-rushing self versus the Chargers as he was able to generate a bunch of pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Jones finished with one tackle on Saturday and he appears to be ready for another NFL season full of bringing down opposing signal callers.

Cameron Lynch – LB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Entering his third season with the Buccaneers, Lynch was given a bunch of opportunities to make plays during the team’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins last Thursday.

Syracuse Orange

In 27 snaps on defense and 10 snaps on Special teams, the former Orange linebacker racked up a total of five tackles. Lynch is listed on Tampa Bay’s current depth chart as one of the team’s backup outside linebackers, so contributing on special teams is likely his best shot at making their roster this year.

Shamarko Thomas – S (Indianapolis Colts)

Known for dishing out some violent hits throughout his days at Syracuse and during his career in the NFL, Thomas delivered another big blow in preseason action for the Colts last Thursday. But this time, it resulted in the safety getting ejected from the game.

During Indianapolis’ matchup against the Seahawks, Thomas was flagged for 15-yards and ejected from the game after delivering an illegal hit to Seattle receiver David Moore.

Thanks to his ejection, the former Orange safety was only on the field for five of the Colts’ total defensive snaps and six of their special teams snaps. He finished with one tackle.